On Emotions

Emotional Intensity

Aaron Ben Ze'ev, University of Haifa
abstract

 

The analysis of emotional intensity is crucial in understanding emotions; however, it has received little systematic attention in psycho-logical and philosophical literature. This paper provides a general framework for the understanding of emotional intensity. lt begins by a brief characterization of typical emotions and a discussion on the complexity of the concept of emotional intens
ity. In discussing variables of emotional intensity, two major groups are proposed: the event's impact, which includes the variables of the strength, reality and relevance of the event, and background circumstances, which includes the variables of account-ability, readiness and deservingness. A clear positive correlation between each variable and emotional intensity is suggested.

From: THEORY & PSYCHOLOGY Copyright @ 1996 SAGE Publications. vol. 6(3): 509-532

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